Three Vanier students received scholarships from the Regroupement des fondations collégiales de Montréal at the Recognition Gala for RFCM Scholarships for the Next Generation held on May 1, 2012. This year’s Vanier winners are from left to right in the photo: Jessica Benady-Chorney, Health Science, Giovanna Arcuri, OST: Micropublishing and Hypermedia; and Christopher Simeone, Special Care Counselling.  

Every year, the Regroupement des fondations collégiales de Montréal awards three students from each of the 12 cégeps on the Island of Montreal a scholarship of $1,000 each.  The Regroupement is supported in its mission by industry and leaders in education. Students with a good academic record, who have shown commitment to their studies and to college life through extracurricular activity, and who have been endorsed by an employee of the College are eligible to enter. Be

Jessica devotes large amounts of her time volunteering in her community, including helping out at the Lakeshore General Hospital, in shelters and charity farms. Jessica is a member of the school’s Key Society, tutors other students and is on the Dean’s Honour List every semester. She plans to study Medicine at McGill University.

Giovanna is a regular Dean’s Honour Roll student studying Micropublishing and Hypermedia.  Many of her designs have won contests at Vanier.  For example, her poster was used to publicize La Semaine de la francophonie at Vanier as well as the Big Band Benefit Concert.  Giovanna has been taking dance classes for years and this experience has motivated her to start her own business, Shimmy Entertainment, which offers choreographies and belly dancing at events.  She plans to pursue her studies in Art History at Concordia University.

Christopher Simeone is committed to changing the way disabilities, especially learning disabilities, are perceived and dealt with in the academic environment. His work in Special Care Counselling will lead him toward a position where he can make a significant contribution to changes to curriculum and to promoting greater awareness of the challenges faced by those with disabilities.  Christopher is a member of the Learning Disability Association of Quebec and volunteers by giving workshops, as well as being a mentor for new students and a member of the Vanier Ambassadors for Student Services.

Congratulations to these outstanding Vanier College students.

2012 RFCM Foundation Scholarship winners Final

2012 RFCM Foundation Scholarship winners FR

It promises to be a lively and special musical event on May 4^th when the Vanier College Choir conducted by Philippe Bourque will be joined by the Vanier Chamber Orchestra and the Vanier Percussion Ensemble for an evening of rhythmic vitality in the last concert of the semester.

The Rio Grande
The concert will open with Constant Lambert’s jazzy The Rio Grande for mezzo-soprano (Erica Martin, alumna), percussion and two pianos (Alexander Solopov and Anne-Marie Denoncourt).

Carnaval des animaux
Next comes Saint-Saëns’ well-known Carnaval des animaux performed by the Vanier Chamber Orchestra directed by Sylvie Allaire with Vanier pianists Melissa Biroun and Juliana van Zuiden (alumna), and narrator Glen Ethier of the Vanier Music faculty.

A premiere performance: Domina Petra Mea
The first part will end with the premiere of Glen Ethier’s Domina Petra Mea with the Vanier Choir, the Vanier Percussion Ensemble (Robert Slapcoff, director,) and pianists Alexander Solopov and Anne-Marie Denoncourt.

Carmina Burana
Carmina Burana written by Carl Orff in 1935-36 will be featured in the second half of the program. This famous work will bring together the choir, pianists Solopov and Denoncourt, the percussion ensemble, and singers Tamara Vickerd (soprano, Vanier faculty), baritone Julien Patenaude and Vanier student Nicolas Saavedra Fusinato (tenor).

Carmina Burana, based on medieval texts from the monastery of Benediktbeuern, is set in 24 movements and opens and closes with rhythmic intensity featuring the Wheel of Fortune.

The concert will take place on May 4, 2012 at 7:30 pm at Église Saint-Laurent, 805, Sainte-Croix Avenue, Montreal (St-Laurent), H4L 3X6.  Suggested donation $10.

Music Carmina Burana Choir Concert 2012

Music Carmina Burana Choir Concert 2012 FR

For nineteen years Vanier College has organized an annual symposium aimed at educating students about the Holocaust and genocide as well as sensitizing young people to the dangers of racism, bigotry, stereotyping, prejudice, and discrimination.

A week of speakers and activities
This year’s theme of “Creativity and the Holocaust” will explore creativity in poetry, painting, music, sculpture, or theatre that is derived from the experiences of Holocaust and genocide survivors.  The week-long event that runs from April 16 to 20, features art exhibitions, films, and guest speakers including many Holocaust survivors who will recount their own experiences. 

Art, censorship and access on the Web
Susan Bisonnette, a Librarian at Vanier, will launch the Symposium on Monday April 16, with her presentation: “Artists, Creativity and the Holocaust.” After writing her thesis on Italian art and fascism, Susan Bisonnette’s interests expanded to include censorship, art, and access to reliable information on the World Wide Web.  

Moral responsibility
Also on Monday and a various times throughout the week, Sebastian Knotz, an 18-year-old Austrian Gedenkdiener will present a multi-media educational program, Moral Responsibility: Witnesses for the Future, which looks at the Shoah as well as the Armenian and Rwandan genocides to address the threat created by ignorance, indifference, discrimination, racism, and moral cowardice.

Holocaust survivors
Other speakers include Eva Kuper who was born at the start of WW II in Poland and survived the war thanks to luck and the courage of several individuals.  Eva will present the film “Hidden Children, Unknown Heroes” (2009).  Among several Holocaust survivors who will speak during the week is Paul Herczeg, who will make a presentation, entitled “Lessons from a Graduate of Auschwitz and Dachau”.

Ron Headland art exhibition Holocaust Impressions 1993-1995
In keeping with the Symposium’s theme of “Creativity and the Holocaust”, an exhibition of paintings Holocaust Impressions, 1993-1995, by retired Vanier teacher, Ronald Headland, will take place in the Carrefour and the Library, from April 16-20.  The exhibition covers a period of the artist’s work that was deeply influenced by his research on the Holocaust.

Commemoration Ceremony
On Wednesday, April 18 a Commemoration Ceremony will take place from 12:30 to 1:15 pm with a Candle-lighting ceremony, tributes to retired Vanier teacher Neil Caplan and the late Peter Kleinmann, and contributions from guests, staff and students. 

Student-designed poster
The poster of this year’s event was designed by Communications: Art, Media and Theatre student Lauren Toutikian who won a College-wide contest.

Check the Symposium schedule for details of activities and a complete list of events.

19th Annual Holocaust Symposium 2012

19th Annual Holocaust Symposium 2012 FR

Radio jazz host extraordinaire, Katie Malloch, will be celebrated this year at the annual Vanier College Big Band Benefit Concert on Monday, April 16^th.   Oliver Jones will return as host for the 11^th year and will also dedicate a performance of one of his compositions to Katie Malloch.

Guest artist André Moisan – featured singer Christina Quadros
The Vanier College Big Band directed by Jocelyn Couture and featuring singer Christina Quadros will open the concert, followed in the second half with the J.L. Big Band conducted by Christopher Smith.  The concert guest artist is André Moisan, clarinet virtuoso with the Montreal Symphony Orchestra.  

On the program
Some of the selections on this year’s program include Cole Porter’s I’ve got you under my skin as well as  The Lamp is Low by Peter DeRose and Bert Shefter based on Ravel’s Pavane pour une infante défunte, one of Katie Malloch’s favourite pieces.

Big Band concert dedicted to Katie Malloch
Every year the concert is dedicated to an individual or group that has contributed to the Montreal community in the cultural or academic fields.  Katie Malloch who recently retired from CBC radio richly deserves this recognition. 

A lasting imprint on Jazz
“We are honoured to dedicate the 2012 concert to Katie Malloch for the huge impact her CBC career has had on the jazz world in Montreal over many years,” states Nadia Turbide, Coordinator of the Vanier Music Department. “Katie is greatly loved by all jazz musicians and has left her imprint on youth and jazz.   It’s a pleasure for Vanier to mark her retirement by demonstrating our sincere appreciation of her contribution to the vitality of jazz in our city at CBC Radio.”

A rich career
Katie Malloch began freelancing for the CBC in 1972 and became a staff announcer in 1975.  Prior to hosting Tonic, a nightly jazz program on CBC Radio 2, she was co-creator and host of Jazz Beat which aired on CBC radio from 1983 to March 2007.

Poster by student Giovanna Arcuri
The stunning spring-like poster for the concert chosen by Katie Malloch, was designed by Giovanna Arcuri a student in the Vanier College Micromedia program.

Concert details
Concert time is at 7:30 pm in the Vanier Auditorium (A-103). Tickets are available at the door or at the Vanier Bookstore:  $20 general admission and $10 students/seniors.  Reservations: 514-744-7500. Do come and celebrate spring with us! Vanier College, 821 Ste-Croix, Montreal H4L 3X9.

Big Band Benefit Concert 2012

Big Band Benefit Concert 2012 FR

A First place win for Vanier three years in a row

A top notch finance team
Congratulations as well to the Vanier College Finance Team made up of An Yun Lu, Macey Geneva Lacbay, Marisa Agnellini, and alternates Thi Thong Hoa Vuong and Stephanie Wong.  Their coach Anna Schiavi, of the Business Administration Accounting Program, was rightly impressed with her students’ work.  “Their performance was stellar and something to be proud of. The competition was stiff but they held up under pressure and presented an extremely professional finance plan.”

Case competitions prepare students for the business world
Case competitions are valuable experiences for students in Cegep technology programs who are preparing to enter the business world.  Such competitions draw on all the knowledge students have acquired in their studies and on their ability to analyze well, come up with creative solutions to marketing or finance problems, speak well in public and think on their feet.

Hard work pays off
“I’m extremely proud of all our students,” states David Moscovitz, Business Administration Coordinator and coach of the Vanier Marketing Team.  “This is the third year Vanier participates in this competition and for three years in a row a Vanier Business Administration team has brought home gold.  All the hard work and preparation our students went through paid off.  They were professional in their appearance and demeanor, and made winning presentations that were thorough and original.”

Real team work
David Moscovitz explains further, “After several years of participating in our own annual Case Challenge and other case competitions, we have learned at Vanier, that team work is not limited to those who finally present at a competition.  It involves many staff, faculty, students and their families who naturally and with respect and enthusiasm support our participants through all the hours of study and preparation to the nerve-wracking stress of the challenge itself and to the drive home after the final competition.  It’s this greater sense of team work that makes each case competition so enriching for all involved.

Dawson College case competition 2012

Dawson College case competition 2012 FR

Even though it was written over 400 years ago, The Merchant of Venice is still relevant.  And that’s one of the reasons the Vanier Theatre Troupe chose to perform it, indicates Lu Yao, the Vanier Health Science student who is directing the upcoming production that will be performed on Friday, March 23 and 30 at Vanier College.

A play with social commentary
“We wanted a play that was more than just a comedy or a love story.  We wanted one with a social commentary.  So we chose The Merchant of Venice because anti-Semitism is still a problem in our society.”

The Vanier Theatre Troupe
Lu Yao is the driving force behind the play.  When she first came to Vanier last year she knew she wanted to do theatre so she set about creating a theatre troupe.  “I thought no one would be interested in joining, but we had more than 100 people sign up!  Some dropped out but in the end some 50 people stayed on and are working on this play.”

Months of rehearsals and preparations
Auditions were held in mid September and rehearsals and preparations have been underway ever since.  The play has 19 actors, a technical team of six and some 30 other supporters working on all the other aspects of the play: publicity, music, costume design and sewing, and set design and construction.  “We’re putting on a traditional production set in the 16^th century, complete with historical costumes,” explains Lu. “In all, we’ve had to make 25 costumes and construct three large sets.  But we chose to use a modernized text that we cut down to two hours.”

Keeping it all going
This is not Lu’s first foray into directing.  She was bitten by the theatre bug in high school when she directed Hamlet.  “The hardest part of directing was getting all the troupe members to work as a team and keeping them focused after hours of practices,” she says.  Does she have any tricks?  “Well I put them through acting exercises that feel like a game, and food always helps.  I learned from high school that food does it all when it comes to kids!” she states with a laugh.

First play in 10 years
Lu Yao is not only proud of the production but excited as well. “It’s been ten years since Vanier last put on a play and this production is the result of the effort and dedication of a lot of people.  It’s also a play that’s rich both culturally and artistically and it has such an important message.”

Curtain time
There will be two presentations: the first on March 23 and the second on March 30.  The curtain rises at 7:00 pm, in the Vanier College Auditorium (A-103), 821 Ste-Croix Avenue, Montreal, H4L 3X9.

The Merchant of Venice

When is a lot of a good thing, too much of a good thing?  When the good thing is antibiotics, and too much is overuse leading to antibiotic resistant superbugs. That’s just one of the topics that will be explored during Vanier College 3^rd annual Science Week from March 19-28, 2012, and longer.

The festival is a chance to celebrate science and take a closer look at a number of interesting topics.  Combining science and science fiction, Vanier’s Stephen Cohen will explain the concept and challenges of building the “Space Elevator” – a 100,000 km vertical corridor from Earth to outer space that may see the light of day in a not too distant future.

Tuesday, March 20 is Pi Day and no Science Week would be complete without a contest to see who can recite the most digits of pi correctly, or eat the most pie.  And what could be better than food, fun, and pi?  As Well, in the afternoon, Dr André Pascal from McGill University will talk about biological warfare in his lecture entitled: “Emerging infections, naturally occurring or criminally introduced.”

It’s time for more fun on Wednesday with a grand game of Science Pictionary in the Math and Science Centre.  Later that day, Anthony Ricciardi of McGill University will make a presentation on the growing problem of invasive species.

On Thursday, it’s the challenges of power generation of its effect on the environment that will come under the microscope.  There will also be a number of activities related to World Water Da, and a presentation from Dr. Robert Smith? (sic) from the University of Ottawa on neglected tropical diseases that currently infect a billion people worldwide and kill almost 534,000 people a year.

Friday morning, Dr. Robert Smith? (sic) will present a mathematical model of Beiber fever.  And in the afternoon it’s time for the Vanier finals of Science on tourne! – the annual engineering competition that this year challenged budding Vanier engineers to build a device capable of launching a projectile as far as possible using only gravitational energy.

Because of the student General Assembly and the possibility of a strike, events will continue into the following week.  On Tuesday, March 27, Don Hetherington, former Vanier Dean of Science, will take his audience on a tour of habitable planets when he explains some of the most recent discoveries in astrophysics pertaining to life elsewhere in the universe.

Finally on Wednesday March 28, Science Coffeehouse time in the Math and Science Centre when Vanier Science faculty and students showcase their artistic talents – musical, artistic, photographic and otherwise.

See the complete program of events for times and locations of activities and events.

Science Week 2012

Science Week 2012 FR

13th year at Vanier
This is the thirteenth year that Vanier, which has the best facilities in Montreal for presenting multiple performances of symphony orchestras, string orchestras, concert bands, choirs and classical guitar ensembles, will host this competition.   

Competition with a difference
MusicFest Québec was started by a group of music teachers who wanted to offer high school music students a unique music experience by bringing together thousands of young musicians from all over the province. Their idea was a competition where each ensemble competes against itself and not against other groups.

How it works
Generally each musical group performs a maximum of three pieces in front of two adjudicators and is evaluated according to the quality of their own performance and the given criteria in the evaluation form.  After the performance one of the evaluators meets with each group in a workshop and comments on the technique, interpretation and attitude of the performance.  At the end of the process the jury attributes the performing group with one of the following mentions: Gold, Silver, or Bronze, and the musical director of the group receives a certificate attesting the mention obtained. 

A chance to try new things
A large exhibition room where students can gather to try out different musical instruments and buy music scores and cds is always an interesting feature for everyone.

Open to the public
MusicFest Québec is open to the public.  Performances take place in the Vanier Auditorium (A-103) and room A-250 and run every day from 9 am to 5 pm, except the first day when performances begin at 10 am. 

MusicFest Québec 2012

MusicFest Québec 2012 FR

Monday Launch
The first speakers to take action and launch the festival Monday March 5 are eight Vanier students who travelled to Nicaragua in January 2012, and who will share their experiences and their observations on gender issues in that country.  Later that afternoon, Victoria Della Cioppa and Leticia Yansen will deliver a cautionary message to students, in their presentation entitled, Drug-Facilitated Sexual Assault: Drugs, Myths, Effects and More. 

Several first time speakers this year hail from the world of sports.
Savoy Howe, founder of The Toronto Newsgirls Boxing Club will talk about running Canada’s only all-female and trans-positive boxing club. Aside from recreational and amateur boxing programs, the club runs a “Shape Your Life” program, a free recreational boxing program for women and trans people who self-identify as survivors of violence.

Last Woman Standing
World champion Canadian boxer Ariane Fortin and the directors of the documentary Last Woman Standing will discuss making the film and women’s boxing as a first-time event in the 2012 Olympics.  The film follows the world champions and former friends, Ariane Fortin and Mary Spencer, who must now fight each other for a chance to win gold.

With this Ring
Ameesha Joshi and Anna Sarkissian, directors of the documentary With this Ring, which chronicles the lives of world champions on the Indian women’s national boxing team, will discuss their film and their experience with the amazing women they followed for six years.

Natural Physiques Bodybuilding
Vanier’s very own Judy Ingerman will talk about her experience competing in the Championnat Provincial Physiques Naturels Québécois / Québec Natural Physiques Championships as a female bodybuilder.

Back by Popular demand

• Breast Control Action Montreal’s Beast of Beauty: Toxic Ingredients in Cosmetics.
• Monia Mazigh, recognized for her successful efforts to free her husband, Maher Arar, from a Syrian prison
• Diane Labelle: Mohawk woman and LGBT activist
• Caroline Ouellette, three time Olympic Gold medalist for women’s hockey
• Raging Grannies:  always a hit!

 See details in the complete program. 

International Women’s Week 2012

International Women’s Week 2012 FR

If you didn’t get to attend the 11^th Annual CRC Robotics Competition, February 16 to 18, 2012, you missed something sensational. The excitement and the energy of 600 students cheering for their favourite teams and robots nearly blew the roof off the Vanier College Sports Centre.  Twenty-two teams from twenty-one high schools and Cegeps participated in what is surely one of the most dynamic high tech contests around. 

“We were thrilled with this year’s entries from all the competing schools,” states Peter Szilagyi, Head Coordinator of CRC Robotics, “but we were even more impressed with the kind of cooperation we saw between the competing schools and the teamwork among the participants.  I want to thank Vanier College, and particularly Stephen Newbigging, Mike Besner and their team, for their enormous contribution and truly outstanding work in hosting this year’s competition and ensuring its success.”

Excitement, imagination, creativity
Everywhere you looked there was a flurry of activity: teams were assembling and hosting their kiosks, groups of students huddled over their robots, going back and forth between their creation and a tool box, making final adjustments before the heats; others were carrying their prize robot onto the playing field. The air cracked with excitement, imagination and creativity.

Marianopolis big winner for second year in a row
For the second year in a row, top honours went to Marianopolis College, collecting six awards, followed closely by Macdonald High School and Collège de Bois-de-Boulogne who each took home five awards.  In all, twelve schools won awards in nine categories.  “But all twenty-one schools went home winners,” comments Peter Szilagyi.  “They came to the competition with working robots, they learned an immeasurable amount, they had an exhilarating experience, and they made lasting bonds and friendships.”  See the action:  http://vimeo.com/37041871

Vanier: We’re already talking about next year!
“Vanier’s team is made up of great people,” exclaims Zolani Stewart, a Computer Science and Math student, who worked primarily on the video. “And we had a great time.  Everyone was running around looking for ways to make things work.”  Fellow team member, Nikola Perotic from Pure and Applied Science, was disappointed when “Steamo” as Vanier’s robot was named, didn’t win, but ads exuberantly, “Right after the competition we were already talking about next year! We were all very determined and we still are.  We’re ready to start now for the next competition.”

Planning started for Velistic 2013�
CRC Robotics has already started planning the 12th Annual Competition, with a game called Velistic 2013, to be held next February.  Registration is on a first-come, first-served basis and will end in October 2012.  The CRC is open to any school who wants to join, and CRC representatives are available to visit schools, to give live robotics demonstrations and to get students interested in forming a team and joining the fun.

The CRC Robotics Competition is unique because it’s the only robotics competition where all the work is done exclusively by students who must build a robot and a kiosk, as well as make a video and design a website, in both French and English.

Looking for partners and sponsors
As planning for 2013 begins, the CRC is seeking title partners to fund its expansion and make this unique educational experience available to more students.  Mentors and volunteers who can provide lessons and guidance to students at participating schools are always welcome.

Teachers, students, and school administrators who would like more information on participating in the CRC Robotics Competition or for sponsorship, mentorship and volunteering opportunities, please contact Peter Szilagyi at 514-867-6920, or peter@robo-crc.ca.  Check out the “This is CRC Robotics” video: http://youtu.be/vp0tyF0Cna8

CRC Robotics 2012 Winners news release

CRC Robotics 2012 Winners news release FR

Complete results from the 11th annual CRC Robotics Competition are as follows: 

Overall Champion Trophy (best combined score in all categories):

Marianopolis College (Champions for a second year in a row)

Overall awards (finalists with the highest score in all categories):

2^nd:  Macdonald High School

3^rd:  Collège de Bois-de-Boulogne

Best Rookie (highest rank among schools in their first year of participation): Collège Montmorency

Game (team whose robot won the finals of this year’s game, and the 3 other teams’ robots that were in the finals):

1^st: (Game Champion):  Rosemount Technology Centre (RTC)

2^nd:  Marianopolis College

3^rd:  Collège de Bois-de-Boulogne

4^th:  Macdonald High School

Video (best videos produced by the teams):

1^st: Macdonald High School http://vimeo.com/36370736

2^nd: Marianopolis College  http://youtu.be/ik3-PQv0wlc

3^rd:  Rosemount Technology Centre (RTC)  http://youtu.be/NgClWdJK1Lg

Best Rookie:   Cégep de Lévis-Lauzon   http://youtu.be/HU7DzjnqBpM

Web Site (best Web Sites produced by teams):

1^st: Dawson College   http://dawsonrobotics.org/

2^nd: Marianopolis College   http://students.marianopolis.edu/robotics/index.html

3^rd: Cégep de Lévis-Lauzon  

Best Rookie:   Cégep de Lévis-Lauzon

Kiosk (best Kiosk presentations):

Tie for 1^st:  Macdonald High School & St. George’s School of Montreal Team 1

3^rd:  Laval Liberty High School

Best Rookie:   LaurenHill Academy

Best Robot Design, presented by Université de Sherbrooke – Département de Génie Électrique et Informatique:

1^st: Collège de Bois-de-Boulogne

2^nd: Rosemount Technology Centre (RTC)

3^rd: Marianopolis College

Best Rookie: Collège Montmorency

Sportsmanship (team that demonstrates the most sportsmanship throughout the competition, as voted on by the participating teams):

1^st:  Rosemount Technology Centre (RTC)

2^nd:  Macdonald High School

Tie for 3^rd:   Cégep Vanier College & Collège de Bois-de-Boulogne

Programming Competition (best performance in the autonomous task challenge), presented by RobotShop:

1^st: Marianopolis College

2^nd: Collège Laval

3 ^rd: Collège de Bois-de-Boulogne

Never Say Die / Lâche pas la patate Trophy (team that struggles but refuses to give up):

Cégep de Lévis-Lauzon

Congratulations once again to all the schools that came to this year’s competition for their outstanding participation.

List of participating Schools 2012:

English Montreal School Board:

Lauren Hill Academy

Lester B. Pearson High School

Rosemount Technology Centre (Adult Education Centre)

Lester B. Pearson School Board:

Macdonald High School

Pierrefonds Comprehensive High School

Sir Wilfrid Laurier School Board:

Lake of Two Mountains High School

Laurier Senior High School

Laval Liberty High School

Private High-Schools (English, French and Schools for Girls):

Centennial Academy

Collège Laval

Lower Canada College

Selwyn House School

St. George’s School of Montreal 

The Sacred Heart School of Montreal

West Island College

CÉGEPs (English and French):

Cégep de Lévis-Lauzon (from Quebec City)

Vanier College

Collège de Bois-de-Boulogne

Collège Montmorency

Dawson College

Marianopolis College